The Prophet opens his sermon with the most striking text, such as the Lord himself opened his sermon with, when he preached before Moses. See Exodus 34:1-7. It were to weaken the words of this solemn and gracious passage, to offer any comment upon them. The Lord's sovereignty, and the Lord's grace are awfully set forth. I only beg the Reader to remark how beautifully blended the one is with the other. A child of God that reads this passage, can do as David did, sing of mercy and of judgment, and direct his holy song unto the Lord. Psalms 101:1.
Nahum 1:2-8
2 Goda is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
4 He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.
5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abideb in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
7 The LORD is good, a strong holdc in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
8 But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.